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Choosing a destination and setting a budget are the major steps for planning a honeymoon. Enlisting the help of a travel agent makes the planning process much easier. Some large travel agencies have special departments designated to help with organizing your honeymoon.

Many resorts, cruise lines and hotels offer all inclusive honeymoon packages. These should be checked carefully for add-on costs such as taxes and activity fees. As your travel agent about credit card discounts, off-season rates, and videos to give you a visual sense of the location.

Pick a honeymoon destination that will best fulfill your need and leave you feeling relaxed, fulfilled, and rejuvinated.

Some travel specialists can set up a honeymoon gift registry service. Your family and friends can purchase pieces of your honeymoon, such as breakfast in bed, an evening dinner, scuba diving and lessons, activities and tours.

It has become very popular for many couples to choose the same location for their wedding ceremony and honeymoon, a destination wedding. Sandals resorts has coined the term "weddingmoon" to describe this type of wedding.

Your honeymoon should be a vacation you have always dreamed of and a time to celebrate your new life together as husband and wife.

Begin planning your honeymoon several months before the wedding. Although the honeymoon is traditionally the groom's financial responsibility, the decisions of where to go, how long to stay and how much to spend, should be made together, because it should reflect the special interests of both of you.

Within the last year and a half, security has been greatly increased around the world and before you travel to another country, make sure you find out what documentation you need to present.

Another consideration is insurance. Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you if you unexpectedly need to cancel a nonrefundable trip or if the travel supplier fails to fulfill its obligation. Medical insurance covers the cost of treatment of an injury or illness that might occur while you are out of the country. Baggage insurance will cover items that are stolen, lost or damaged in your travels. Your rates may vary and you may also have coverage through your homeowners policy or a credit card company, so purchase only what you need.

Your honeymoon should be a time of relaxation after the big event, so don't try to fill every waking hour with activities. Take it easy, sleep in and enjoy this special time together.

-Jay Byerly

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